Written Answers Monday 13 March 2006

Scottish Executive

Bridges

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive why it gave the Forth Estuary Transport Authority the power to implement road user charging schemes under the terms of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 and responsibilities for projects over and above the maintenance of the Forth Road Bridge, such as the A8000 upgrade.

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it created the Forth Estuary Transport Authority with the intention of implementing a road user charging scheme on the Forth Road Bridge under the terms of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001.

Tavish Scott: The Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) was created to oversee operation, management and maintenance of the Forth Road Bridge and has a wider scope of responsibility than the former joint board.

  FETA was given these wider powers, including the powers to promote road user charging schemes, to allow it to prepare and implement a strategy for transportation.

Bridges

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether responsibility for the funding of the A8000 upgrade will remain with the Forth Estuary Transport Authority or whether such responsibility will transfer to the Executive, in light of the Minister for Transport and Telecommunication’s statement that "Before any toll increase is introduced on the Forth bridge, travellers need to see the completion of visible improvements" ( Official Report c. 23596).

Tavish Scott: Primary responsibility for funding this project remains a matter for the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA). The Executive has agreed to underwrite FETA’s costs in upgrading the route, up to a maximum £24 million. As part of this, we are committed to providing grant of £5.605 million in the current year.

Central Heating

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent in each of the last five financial years on the free central heating programme; how these figures compare with the budget available, and what the budget is for the programme for each of the next three years.

Johann Lamont: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:

  The expenditure and budget for the Private Sector Central Heating Programme for each year is shown in the following table.

  

Financial Year
Expenditure
(£ Million)
Budget1
(£ Million)


2001-02
9.092
9.000


2002-03
15.318
11.750


2003-04
30.340
25.750


2004-052
46.000
38.200


2005-063
-
42.400


2006-074
-
45.000


2007-084
-
40.000


2008-095
-
-



  Notes:

  1. In each of the years 2001-02 to 2004-05, more installations were carried out than originally budgeted for. Additional funding was made available for this purpose.

  2. The expenditure for 2004-05 is an estimate as the accruals process has still to be finalised. Figures will be confirmed in the 2004-05 Annual Report which is due to be published in the near future.

  3. Outturn figures for 2005-06 are not yet available. Figures will be included in the 2005-06 Annual Report.

  4. Budget figures for 2006-07 to 2007-08 have still to be finalised.

  5. 2008-09 is outwith the current Spending Review period.

Concessionary Travel

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what forms of subsidised travel on public transport are (a) currently in place and (b) planned in future.

Tavish Scott: There are a number of schemes currently in place by which the Scottish Executive provides subsidised travel on public transport.

  There is an existing concessionary fares scheme which offers free local bus travel for pensioners and disabled people for journeys outwith the morning peak.

  We provide subsidies for air routes under Public Service Obligations (PSOs) from Glasgow International Airport to Campbeltown, Tiree and Barra.

  There is also a variety of local authority funded concessionary travel schemes for rail passengers, and First ScotRail is required by the terms of the rail passenger franchise to participate in these schemes.

  There are three concessionary travel schemes in place for ferry passengers on foot in the Clyde and Western Isles, arranged with Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority (SPTA), Highland Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

  There are three schemes in place for ferry passengers in the Northern Isles, arranged with Orkney Council, Shetland Islands Council and Northlink.

  A new national concessionary travel scheme administered by Transport Scotland will begin on 1 April 2006, and will provide Scotland-wide free bus travel for older and disabled people, as well as two free return journeys for all eligible Scottish island residents. Where existing local concessionary travel schemes also include additional modes, such as rail or ferry, these will continue to be managed locally.

  The Scottish Executive is also committed to introducing a scheme of national bus, rail and ferry concessionary travel for young people, initially for those in full-time education and training.

  I announced recently the introduction of a new scheme, which will provide lower air fares for those living in the Highlands and Islands. Residents of Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles, Islay and Jura and the Caithness area will be eligible for an estimated 40% discount on trips to Inverness, Glasgow International, Edinburgh and Aberdeen Airports and one other airport within the eligible geographic area.

Council Tax

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can take any action to increase the numbers of those entitled to council tax benefit who actually receive it and, if so, what actions it will take.

George Lyon: The Scottish Executive has no direct functions in relation to council tax benefit. However, we support the Department of Work and Pensions in its campaign to increase the uptake of benefit amongst pensioners, particularly through partnership work with Scottish councils.

DNA Samples

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it contributes funding to the maintenance of the National DNA Database and, if so, how much.

Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive does not contribute funding to the maintenance of the National DNA Database. Scottish Police Forces, however, pay a fee of £2.53 for each profile inserted onto the National DNA Database.

Dentistry

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Polish dentists are due to take up posts within NHS Highland.

Lewis Macdonald: We expect three dentists from Poland to take up posts within NHS Highland in September this year.

Drug Misuse

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received in the last five years in respect of the length of sentences for differing drug related offences.

Cathy Jamieson: Our records do not allow us to distinguish representations about sentencing for drug-related offences from other offences without examining each item of correspondence individually. An examination of correspondence from 2005 identified only one such representation.

Education

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional financial support is made available to the Highland Council as a result of the number of rural primary schools for which it is responsible.

Peter Peacock: Highland Council receives additional support of £4.755 million in 2005-06 as a result of a redistribution of the Primary School Teaching Staff Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE) allocation which is based on the 18% of Highland pupils who are educated in small schools i.e. where the pupil roll is 70 or less. In 2006-07 and 2007-08, this redistribution reallocates £5.442 million and £5.555 million respectively, based on a percentage of 17.2%. Any current or future changes to this percentage will not now be made until the next Spending Review, currently scheduled for 2007.

  These GAE allocations are neither budgets nor spending targets. They are a component of the more complex local government funding formula which is used to calculate a single revenue grant figure for each council. It is then a matter for each individual council to decide how best to deploy these resources based on local needs and priorities.

  In addition, the Executive’s Gaelic Specific Grant and an element of the National Priorities Action Fund relating to the Executive’s commitment to having 53,000 additional teachers by 2007 may have some bearing on financial support of rural schools.

Employment

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive on what date it commissioned Future Skills Scotland to analyse the supply and demand for people with different levels of science qualifications and when and where the full results of the analysis were published.

Nicol Stephen: My officials asked Futureskills Scotland to investigate the supply and demand for scientists, engineers and mathematicians in Scotland as part of its 2005-07 workplan. A project steering group including representatives from the Scottish Executive, Futureskills Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council, is now directing the work. FSS expect to have the results ready to pass to us by summer 2006. Further information is published in A Science Strategy for Scotland 2001: Progress Report , published February 2006, a copy of which is available on the web at:  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/science/16607/5910 .

Employment

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made since 2001 in ensuring that all higher education science courses provide opportunities to acquire business skills and work experience.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive and the Scottish Funding Council are committed to promoting entrepreneurial education and encouraging higher education institutions to provide opportunities for students to obtain work experience and business skills However, institutions are autonomous bodies and are individually responsible for the content and nature of the courses they offer.

  The Scottish Institute for Enterprise (SIE), core funded by the Scottish Funding Council, has led on developing enterprise courses in Scotland’s universities since 1999. In recent years its has greatly expanded the range of courses and increased the number of students who can benefit from them, to cover all Scotland’s universities. These courses help students and researchers to develop management and business skills such as team-building, problem-solving, presentation skills and teamwork. The institute is currently working with the UK Science Enterprise Centres and the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship to develop an Enterprise Educators training and Masterclass programme. The SIE has assisted in the drive for all higher education institutions to establish their own commercialisation offices, with links to the national SIE network of support. Further details can be found in A Science Strategy for Scotland 2001:Progress Report, published 20 February 2006 at:  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/science/16607/5910.

Employment

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made since 2001 in establishing courses in science communication and how many students have enrolled on such courses in each year since 2001.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive is committed to promoting science communication education. Whilst institutions are individually responsible for the content and nature of courses on offer, there is evidence that progress is being made by a range of different training providers, developing a number of options, including modules provided within science degrees; degrees focusing on science communication, and other communication opportunities provided by bodies actively involved in complementary science education, including the Science Centres. The Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh and the Edinburgh International Science Festival provide training opportunities which include modules within degrees and hands-on training placements. Information on the numbers of students enrolled on such courses is not held centrally. Further details can be found in A Science Strategy for Scotland 2001:Progress Report , published February 2006, a copy of which is available on the web at:  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/science/16607/5910 .

Employment

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what sources of unbiased information about education and career opportunities in science have been developed or established since 2001.

Nicol Stephen: Careers Scotland supports the career planning needs of individuals across Scotland. Professional Careers Advisers offer impartial guidance and support to young people and are trained to recognise the diversity of opportunities and to challenge stereotyping.

  Careers Scotland’s "Career Box" careers education tool was launched in 2004 and provides access to materials which develop research skills whereby young people can use ICT careers information relating to science opportunities. This information is detailed enough to give direct guidance to young people in science and engineering. The resource is flexible, interactive and supported by video clips and case studies which highlight role models who have chosen a STEM related career pathway. In addition, the Careers Scotland website has a section containing useful information on STEM related industries.

  Education and careers opportunities in science have been promoted through a range of public science initiatives, further details of which are in published in A Science Strategy for Scotland, 2001: Progress Report, available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/science/16607/5910.

  The report highlights the "Small Grants for Science" scheme launched by the Scottish Executive in 2003 to support the transition from primary to secondary school science, and the Careers Scotland Science and Technology Matters initiative, announced in November 2005. "Science Matters" supports hands on STEM activity for pupils to engage with science, with the twin aims of encouraging more young people into these subject areas, and improving rates of progression into science careers. There are also a number of national projects delivered in partnership with industry including the Careers Scotland Space School for S4 –S5 pupils, launched in 2002.

  The Scottish Science Centres Network Strategy, published in December 2005, commits the science centres to strengthening their existing links with key organisations to demonstrate more fully the links between science and employment, complementing the work of Careers Scotland and others in this field.

Energy Efficiency

Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many publicly funded buildings and schools built in the last five years, including those currently under construction, source energy from renewable (a) heat and (b) electricity sources, shown as a percentage of all publicly funded buildings built in the last five years.

Nicol Stephen: The information requested is not held centrally.

Enterprise

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22402 by Nicol Stephen on 10 February 2006, whether this answer indicates that it, Scottish Enterprise or any other Executive agency or non-departmental public body is not presently undertaking a review of local economic forums nor has plans to do so in the future.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive can confirm that neither it, Scottish Enterprise nor any other Executive agency or non-departmental public body is, so far as the Executive is aware, presently undertaking a review of Local Economic Forums nor has plans to do so.

Enterprise

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22402 by Nicol Stephen on 10 February 2006, to what "this does not involve consultants" refers.

Nicol Stephen: Question S2W-22402 on 10 February asked, among other things, "whether consultants were involved" in a review of Local Economic Forums. As indicated in the answers to questions S2W-22402 and S2W-23619 on 13 March 2006, the Executive is not reviewing the existence of Local Economic Forums.

  The term "this does not involve consultants" was intended to make clear that consultants are not being used by the Executive in any capacity relating to Local Economic Forums.

Environment

Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations have been made, and by whom, in respect of the future of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Scotland and whether it will provide details, and publish copies, of any replies received to such representations.

Rhona Brankin: Representations made by the Scottish Executive to the Natural Environment Research Council’s (NERC) consultation on the future of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and a response received from NERC have been published on the Scottish Executive website at: www.scotland.gov.uk/srg .

Ferry Services

Maureen Macmillan (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out the steps it is taking in co-operation with the Northern Ireland administration to attract an operator to run a ferry service between Campbeltown and Ballycastle.

Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive in co-operation with the Northern Ireland administration initiated a tendering exercise in 2005 for a subsidised public service contract to operate a passenger and vehicle ferry service between Campbeltown in Argyll and Ballycastle in Antrim, Northern Ireland. Following a pre-qualification exercise, an Invitation to Tender was issued to four companies on 20 September, requesting submission of tenders by 10 January 2006. The Executive was disappointed that no tenders were submitted.

  The Scottish Executive has reviewed the reasons for this outcome and has also investigated whether there are any options available which would allow reinstatement of the service within the terms of the 2005-06 tender. The main terms of the tender were a five year contract offering a service for 11 months of the year with a maximum annual grant of £1 million per year for a passenger and vehicle ferry service between the two ports.

  The Executive is aware of the strong support for the reinstatement of the service voiced in both Kintyre and Antrim and of the local disappointment at the outcome of the tendering process. The Executive has therefore agreed with the Northern Ireland administration that a final effort should be made to identify any potential ferry operator interested in submitting a tender to provide the service under a negotiated procedure. The procurement rules permit this provided that the operator meets the original qualification criteria for the competition and that the tender complies fully with the original terms of the Invitation to Tender issued for this exercise.

  These investigations will require time to pursue and it is not possible to place a precise timescale on them in advance, but every effort will be made to establish the position as soon as practicable.

Hospitals

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ambulances would be required for the NHS Lanarkshire area if NHS Lanarkshire’s preferred option of closing the Accident and Emergency Department at Monklands Hospital and centralising all planned care to that site goes ahead.

Lewis Macdonald: Proposals under A Picture of Health are the subject of public consultation which is due to end on 28 April 2006. When NHS Lanarkshire comes to a view on these matters, their proposals will come to me for a final decision. I will want to be assured that the proposals are consistent with Delivering for Health and to be satisfied as to the adequacy of public engagement and consultation.

  The Scottish Ambulance Service has been attending meetings with NHS Lanarkshire and will make the necessary arrangements to support whichever service configuration is put in place.

Justice

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions there have been in each year since 1999 in which the alleged victim was an adult with learning difficulties, broken down by sheriff court district.

Cathy Jamieson: The statistics available on prosecutions do not include information on victim characteristics.

Justice

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many successful prosecutions there have been in each year since 1999 in which the alleged victim was an adult with learning difficulties, broken down by sheriff court district.

Cathy Jamieson: The statistics available on convictions do not include information on victim characteristics.

Justice

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many reports were made to the police in each year since 1999 in which the alleged victim was an adult with learning difficulties, broken down by sheriff court district.

Cathy Jamieson: The recorded crime statistics collected centrally do not include information on victim characteristics.

Justice

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions have taken place in each year since 1999 in which the alleged victim was an adult with learning difficulties, broken down by category of offence.

Cathy Jamieson: The statistics available on prosecutions do not include information on victim characteristics.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who set up the inquiry in 1965, popularly known as the Thurso Boy Inquiry, and what its terms of reference were.

Cathy Jamieson: The tribunal was appointed by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 18 February 1959 under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921. Its remit was to inquire into the allegation of assault on John Waters by members of Caithness police on 7 December 1957. The report of the tribunal, chaired by Lord Sorn, was presented to the Westminster Parliament in April 1959 under Cmnd 718.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Cabinet meetings have taken place since May 1999; how many of these the current Lord Advocate has attended (a) for the duration of the meeting or (b) for part of the meeting either in his capacity as Solicitor General or Lord Advocate, and how many times he has spoken at Cabinet on (i) specifically legal matters and (ii) political matters.

Cathy Jamieson: The dates when the Scottish Cabinet has met since 1999 are available under the Cabinet-related information provided on the Scottish Executive website.

  The Lord Advocate is not a member of the Scottish Cabinet but usually attends Cabinet each week to provide legal advice where it is sought.

  Information relating to the proceedings of the Scottish Cabinet is considered exempt from disclosure under sections 29 (a) and (b) and 30(a) and (b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Cabinet meetings the current Solicitor General has attended (a) for the duration of the meeting or (b) for part of the meeting, and how many times she has spoken at Cabinet on (i) specifically legal matters and (ii) political matters.

Cathy Jamieson: The Solicitor General will attend Cabinet when the Lord Advocate is not able to do so.

  Information relating to the proceedings of the Scottish Cabinet is considered exempt from disclosure under Sections 29 (a) and (b) and 30(a) and (b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the current status is of the criminal investigation into the murder of Marion Ross in Kilmarnock in 1997.

Colin Boyd QC: The murder of Marion Ross in Kilmarnock in 1997 has been investigated by Strathclyde Police. However, they will examine any further information that becomes available.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the fingerprint evidence found at the scene of the Marion Ross murder case in Kilmarnock in 1997 was not compared with the fingerprints of every suspect at the time of the initial investigation.

Colin Boyd QC: It is not appropriate to discuss details of procedures followed in a criminal investigation, for operational reasons. However, I can confirm that the fingerprint evidence found at the scene of Marion Ross’ murder was compared with the fingerprints of particular individuals where this proved to be appropriate.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it and its agencies have paid out in each year since May 1999 in compensation for miscarriages of justice and how much it has incurred in legal costs in relation to these settlements.

Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-21936 on 23 January 2006. It is Executive policy not to disclose the amount of compensation paid to individual applicants without the express permission of the applicant. Accordingly, because the number of cases is small, providing the requested information on an annual basis could lead to the identification of individual claimants.

  In determining the amount of compensation due to a claimant, the assessor will take into account any expenses, legal or otherwise, incurred by the claimant in reversing his conviction, or pursuing the claim for compensation to enable these to be included in the final assessment. The Executive has incurred no additional cost for legal expenses in relation to these settlements beyond payments of appropriate fees of £815.46 to the assessors for their work.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Land Ownership

Chris Ballance (South of Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any funds, or other resources, available to help local communities establish the ownership of unclaimed land in their locality.

Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:

  
There are no specific funds for this purpose.

Land Reform

Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much land has been taken into community ownership under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and what percentage of total land in Scotland this represents.

Rhona Brankin: The Community Right to Buy in Part 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 provides real rights to purchase land when it comes to be sold. The Crofting Community Right to Buy in part 3 of the act provides a right to buy at any time. Both rights came into force on 14 June 2004.

  The Register of Community Interests in Land, which is available publicly through the Scottish Executive and Registers of Scotland websites, presently contains 32 applications to register community interests in land under part 2 of the act. These applications cover a total of 25,297 hectares (62,484 acres) of land, equating to 0.32% of the 7.9 million hectares in the whole of Scotland. Registrable land forms 98.6% of all land in Scotland.

  Of the 32 applications so far submitted to the department, 15 have secured a registered interest, nine have been rejected, four were withdrawn and four await a decision of the Scottish ministers. Nine cases have proceeded to the right to buy stage, five of which have concluded the transfer of ownership to the local community. This has resulted in 19,827 hectares (48,973 acres) of land being transferred to community ownership under part 2 of the legislation. One case is presently proceeding through the right to buy process and a further five registered community interests have been approved and are awaiting notification from the landowner of the intention to sell the land. This provides the opportunity for a further 43.5 hectares (107 acres) of land to be transferred to local community ownership when it comes to be sold.

  Part 3 of the act has also resulted in two applications so far, involving a further 28,140 hectares (69,505 acres) of land. These cases are presently being considered.

  The legislative approach, whilst providing a right to purchase land (in the case of part 2, when it comes to be sold), is not the only way for communities to purchase land, but its very existence may, in some cases, inspire a negotiated sale to a local community. This is already the case at South Uist and Galson. The Forestry Commission Scotland’s National Forest Land Scheme, launched on 20 June 2005, also provides an opportunity for communities to purchase forestry land. Two community based applications, totalling 861 hectares (2,127 acres) have been received, and can be viewed on their website at www.forestry.gov.uk/nfls. Three further communities are at the pre-application phase of the NFLS and a further five communities are presently considering their options. Also, voluntary discussion between a willing seller and willing buyer may provide an easier option for communities wishing to acquire land.

  More generally, latest statistics from highlands and islands enterprise suggest that over 87,400 hectares (216,000 acres) - just over 1% - of land in Scotland is currently under community ownership. In addition, over 13,000 hectares (over 32,700 acres) of land is being leased to, or managed by, communities. This provides over 100,700 hectares (almost one quarter of a million acres) under community control in Scotland. Furthermore, over 130,400 hectares (over 322,000 acres) of land is presently subject to aspiring community land initiatives, which may result in community ownership or communities leasing land in the future.

  There has been a high level of interest in the right to buy legislation and the Scottish Executive is continuing to encourage rural communities to consider all available options to assist with delivering benefits to local communities. It is for communities to determine for themselves whether land ownership is the preferred option in each case. Local benefit may be delivered through other options, such as leasing land. Scottish Executive officials are available to discuss options with any individual or community representative on the Land Reform Helpdesk on 0131 244 6003, and we would encourage prospective community bodies to make contact with officials at the earliest opportunity.

Learning Difficulties

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what supported accommodation facilities have been provided for adults with learning difficulties in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.

Malcolm Chisholm: This information is not held centrally. Since 2003-04 statistics have been collected on the number of clients with learning disabilities receiving housing support under the Supporting People programme, but no records are kept on the number of separate supported accommodation facilities for adults with learning disabilities in each local authority area.

Marine Environment

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23329 regarding ship-to-ship oil transfers by Rhona Brankin on 27 February 2006, what discussions it has had with Her Majesty’s Government with regard to the Firth of Forth being a Special Protection Area.

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23329 regarding ship-to-ship oil transfers by Rhona Brankin on 27 February 2006, what discussions it has had with Her Majesty’s Government with regard to the government’s identification of the Forth Estuary as a marine environment high risk area.

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23329 regarding ship-to-ship oil transfers by Rhona Brankin on 27 February 2006, what discussions it has had with Her Majesty’s Government in respect of concerns expressed by, and opposition received from, local authorities whose boundaries border the Firth of Forth and whose areas may be exposed to oil spill risk.

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23329 regarding ship-to-ship oil transfers by Rhona Brankin on 27 February 2006, what discussions it has had with Her Majesty’s Government in respect of the consultation process regarding ship-to-ship oil transfers and, in particular, consultation with community councils in Fife and the Lothians.

Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with Her Majesty’s Government on a number of issues, including the proposals for the ship-to-ship transfer of oil in the Firth of Forth. These discussions have included the Special Protection Areas, the concerns expressed by adjacent local authorities, the public consultation which commenced on 16 February and somewhat separately, the designation of three Marine Environmental High Risk Areas in the mouth of the Firth.

Olympic Games

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22466 by Patricia Ferguson on 31 January 2006 and given that the International Olympic Committee has no published definition of what defines a city as having "world city" status, whether it considers that this should not be used as part of the rationale as to why only London could host the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games if they were to be held in the United Kingdom.

Patricia Ferguson: The use of the term "world city" by the IOC, is a matter for the IOC.

Olympic Games

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22529 by Patricia Ferguson on 2 February 2006, whether its statement that it is "aware that our major cities have world-class facilities" indicates that it believes that any Scottish cities have "world city" status.

Patricia Ferguson: The term "world city" was used by the IOC and is not a term used by the Scottish Executive to classify cities.

Ports and Harbours

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the sources of public support provided for harbours and piers in the Highlands and Islands have been in each financial year since 1999.

Tavish Scott: In each year since 1999, harbour authorities in the Highlands and Islands have been eligible to apply for grants from the Scottish Executive for various purposes under national Piers and Harbours Grant Schemes, from local authorities, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and from the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance structural fund. A number of fisheries harbours also continue to benefit from Departmental loan assistance earlier provided under the Fisheries Act 1955.

Ports and Harbours

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance is available to trust ports, such as Montrose Port, in developing capacity for the benefit of the regional economy and infrastructure.

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to develop a new ports policy to allow for government investment in trust ports, such as Montrose Port, where such support would bring demonstrable benefits to the regional economy and infrastructure.

Tavish Scott: Trust ports are not public sector bodies. Under the terms of their specific local legislation they direct their own commercial strategy and are responsible for funding their own investment. We will be considering the development of Scotland’s ports as part of the forthcoming consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy.

Ports and Harbours

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish a route development fund for ports in order to support their role in helping Scotland to move towards an efficient, low carbon economy.

Tavish Scott: As part of the forthcoming consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy we will consider developments that can assist ports.

Prison Service

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it agrees with the Scottish Prisons Complaints Commissioner that the pre-recorded message on all outgoing calls from Scottish prisoners should be removed or reworded; whether it is aware that in England similar pre-recorded messages have been removed; when it will take action on this issue, and whether it has sought legal advice with regard to a possible challenge under human rights legislation.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  
The current message, which precedes any call from a prisoner, advises recipients that the call is coming from a prison. The SPS believes that the message provides the public, for example victims or vulnerable witnesses with some safeguard against unwanted calls. The SPS also considers that the message is necessary and legal. In his most recent report, the Prison Complaints Commissioner noted that SPS had "taken legal advice on this matter and concluded that any interference that the pre-recorded message caused to a prisoner’s privacy rights was justifiable and thus permissible under Article 8 of the Convention.

Prison Service

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many young offenders have been held on remand in HM Prison Kilmarnock in each of the last seven years.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  

 
1998-99
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05


Number of under 21’s
0
152
169
168
136
136
142



  The figures are for individuals. If a young offender entered on remand more than once in the same year they are only counted once. If they were in prison during two years, they would be counted once in each year.

Rendition Flights

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish courts would be required to take action in respect of extradition proceedings under internationally agreed obligations in respect of any CIA officers for whom there is an outstanding arrest warrant from the Italian courts, if any of these individuals are found to be in Scotland.

Cathy Jamieson: Extradition arrangements between the UK and Italy are now governed by the EU Council Framework Decision of 13 June 2002, which is in force for both the UK and Italy. Requests from Italy for extradition are made under the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) procedure which was introduced in that Decision. This procedure was implemented for the UK by the Extradition Act 2003. If the Scottish authorities receive an EAW from Italy, they may certify it, and it is thereafter sent to the police for execution. The matter would then proceed before the Scottish Courts.

Roads

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received the findings of its reporter for the local public inquiry into its proposals to upgrade the A80 to full motorway status through Cumbernauld and when it expects to make an announcement in respect of these findings.

Tavish Scott: I refer the member to the answer to question S2O-9110 on 2 March 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Scottish Criminal Record Office

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive on what date or dates the Scottish Executive’s Cabinet has discussed the Shirley McKie case.

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive on what date or dates the Scottish Executive’s Cabinet has discussed the Scottish Criminal Record Office; in particular whether a complaint made in August 2001, referred to in a The Sunday Times article on 26 February 2006, was raised expressly or by reference with the Cabinet or in any papers submitted to members of the Cabinet.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet has discussed the Shirley McKie case and, if so, whether the Lord Advocate, Solicitor General and Minister for Justice were present.

Cathy Jamieson: Information relating to the proceedings of the Scottish Cabinet is considered exempt from disclosure under sections 29 (a) and (b) and 30(a) and (b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Scottish Criminal Record Office

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Lord Advocate and the Minister for Justice agreed the content of each other’s ministerial statement on 22 February 2006 on the Scottish Fingerprint Service.

Cathy Jamieson: These statements were prepared separately but were subsequently shared to ensure that there was no duplication nor omission.

Scottish Criminal Record Office

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in respect of the Shirley McKie case, it believes that any Scottish Criminal Record Office officers who misidentified her fingerprint lied or made a mistake and on what evidence it bases this judgement.

Cathy Jamieson: The Executive reached a settlement with Ms McKie on the basis that the misidentification had been made in good faith and was not malicious.

Scottish Executive Finance

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent the advice the UK National Statistician and Registrar General has been followed since he wrote on 29 September 2004 to the Chief Statistician in relation to the National Statistics status of Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland (GERS) stating that the Executive "will of course want to ensure that the limitations of the data and the assumptions are made available to inform users, and that guidance is provided about what GERS should and should not be used for".

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that the caveats referred to by the UK National Statistician and Registrar General in his letter of 29 September 2004 to the Chief Statistician will be communicated to users of Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland data.

Mr Tom McCabe: The Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland publication includes detailed information on the limitations of the data, the assumptions for the estimates, and its proper uses. The publication can be accessed using the following link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/12/12113803/38034 .

Scottish Executive Finance

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions it has not referred to the UK National Statistician and Registrar General’s caveats contained in his letter of 29 September 2004 to the Chief Statistician when discussing, debating or writing about Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland.

Mr Tom McCabe: The Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland publication discusses in detail possible caveats to the analysis. When discussing, debating or writing about Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland these caveats are mentioned when appropriate.

Scottish Executive Finance

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that users of Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland (GERS) data pass on in turn the caveats referred to by the UK National Statistician and Registrar General in respect of the "limitations of the data and the assumptions" and guidance about "what GERS should and should not be used for".

Mr Tom McCabe: The  Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland publication sets out information on methodologies, data sources, assumptions and limitations of the analysis and thus provides users with the necessary information on the caveats and appropriate uses. In doing so, it ensures that the principles laid down in the National Statistics Code of Practice and Protocols are satisfied.

Scottish Executive Finance

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its understanding is in respect of what Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland data "should and should not be used for", as referred to by the UK National Statistician and Registrar General in his letter of 29 September 2004 to the Chief Statistician.

Mr Tom McCabe: Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland provides estimates of public sector flows of expenditure and revenue for Scotland on the basis of the national accounting standards used by the UK. It aims to enhance public understanding of fiscal issues in Scotland.

  The figures are estimates that are based on data from various sources and on a number of reasoned assumptions. As always with statistical products, users must accept that assumptions, data and results are subject to variation and figures may be revised as methodology and data sources develop.

Scottish Water

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what deficiencies in the business plan of Scottish Water identified by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency contributed to the resignation of the Chair of Scottish Water.

Rhona Brankin: Professor Alan Alexander resigned as Chair of Scottish Water because he disagreed with the views that the Scottish Executive and Scottish Water’s regulators had formed of Scottish Water’s 2006-10 delivery plan. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency considered in particular that the plan’s phasing of the environmental quality enhancement programme did not allow it to confirm that the plan would achieve the objectives that the Executive has set Scottish Water for 2006-10.

  Copies of all of the correspondence between the Executive and the regulators on this matter can be viewed on the Scottish Executive website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Water/17583/resignation.

Scottish Water

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what deficiencies in the business plan of Scottish Water identified by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland contributed to the resignation of the Chair of Scottish Water.

Rhona Brankin: Professor Alan Alexander resigned as Chair of Scottish Water because he disagreed with the views that the Scottish Executive and Scottish Water’s regulators had formed of Scottish Water’s 2006-10 delivery plan. The Water Industry Commission for Scotland considered in particular that the plan failed to provide for delivery in full of all of the outputs and performance funded by the Commission’s determination of water charges for 2006-10.

  Copies of all of the correspondence between the Executive and the regulators on this matter can be viewed on the Scottish Executive website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Water/17583/resignation.

Scottish Water

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what deficiencies in the business plan of Scottish Water identified by the Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland contributed to the resignation of the Chair of Scottish Water.

Rhona Brankin: Professor Alan Alexander resigned as Chair of Scottish Water because he disagreed with the views that the Scottish Executive and Scottish Water’s regulators had formed of Scottish Water’s 2006-10 delivery plan. The Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland considered in particular that the plan did not provide a clear means for measuring Scottish Water’s progress towards delivery of the objectives that the Executive has set Scottish Water for 2006-10.

  Copies of all of the correspondence between the Executive and the regulators on this matter can be viewed on the Scottish Executive website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Water/17583/resignation.

Scottish Water

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps were taken to rectify any deficiencies in the business plan of Scottish Water identified by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency prior to the resignation of the Chair of Scottish Water.

Rhona Brankin: Professor Alan Alexander resigned as Chair of Scottish Water because he did not agree with the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the other regulators that Scottish Water‘s 2006-10 delivery plan fell short of their requirements for it in a number of material respects.

Scottish Water

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps were taken to rectify any deficiencies in the business plan of Scottish Water identified by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland prior to the resignation of the Chair of Scottish Water.

Rhona Brankin: Professor Alan Alexander resigned as Chair of Scottish Water because he did not agree with the Scottish Executive, the Water Industry Commission for Scotland and the other regulators that Scottish Water‘s 2006-10 delivery plan fell short of their requirements for it in a number of material respects.

Scottish Water

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps were taken to rectify any deficiencies in the business plan of Scottish Water identified by the Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland prior to the resignation of the Chair of Scottish Water.

Rhona Brankin: Professor Alan Alexander resigned as Chair of Scottish Water because he did not agree with the Scottish Executive, the Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland and the other regulators that Scottish Water’s 2006-10 delivery plan fell short of their requirements for it in a number of material respects.

Scottish Water

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what deficiencies in the business plan of Scottish Water identified by Scottish ministers contributed to the resignation of the Chair of Scottish Water.

Rhona Brankin: Professor Alan Alexander resigned as Chair of Scottish Water because he disagreed with the view of the Scottish Executive that Scottish Water’s 2006-10 delivery plan did not provide a clear and convincing basis upon which Scottish Water would, as a minimum, achieve in full the Executive’s objectives for Scottish Water in the period, including those in relation to development constraints, within the limits set by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland’s determination of charges for 2006-10.

Scottish Water

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive in which respects Scottish ministers considered that the ministerial objectives for water and sewerage would not be met by the business plan of Scottish Water.

Rhona Brankin: The Executive considered in general that Scottish Water’s delivery plan for 2006-10 was too provisional in nature and identified potential obstacles to Scottish Water being able to achieve the Executive’s objectives for it without identifying how such obstacles might be overcome. It considered in particular that the plan envisaged a significant delay in taking forward a number of important strategic issues, including the alleviation of development constraints, that it did not provide for Scottish Water to out-perform the Water Industry Commission’s determination of water charges, and that it lacked a clear means by which the Executive could measure Scottish Water’s progress towards achievement of the objectives.

Scottish Water

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the letter of appointment of Professor Alan Alexander as Chair of Scottish Water including the objectives set for Professor Alexander.

Rhona Brankin: Copies of Professor Alexander’s letters of appointment as Chair of Scottish Water can be viewed on the Scottish Executive website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Water/17583/resignation .

Scottish Water

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what severance payment was made to Professor Alan Alexander in respect of his resignation as Chair of Scottish Water.

Rhona Brankin: The position in respect of the ex-gratia payment made to Professor Alexander was set out in the Executive’s answer to question S2W-23460 on 8 March 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Scottish Water

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any headhunting organisation has been employed to recruit a Chair of Scottish Water and, if so, on which date contact was first made with any such organisation.

Rhona Brankin: The search consultants Odgers are acting on behalf of the Scottish Executive to identify potential candidates for appointment as interim Chair of Scottish Water.

  The Executive first made contact with Odgers in respect of this matter on 2 February 2006 as a precautionary measure when it had become clear to the Executive that there were problems with Scottish Water’s delivery plan that might lead to the departure of Professor Alan Alexander as Chair of Scottish Water. On the same date it approached the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland about the possibility of an interim chair being appointed in line with her guidance on public appointments, but without the appointment being subject to an open competition.

Scottish Water

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether its recruitment personnel have taken any action to recruit a Chair of Scottish Water and, if so, on what date such employees were first instructed to take action.

Rhona Brankin: Officials of the Scottish Executive are working with the search consultants Odgers to identify potential candidates for appointment as interim Chair of Scottish Water. They were asked to commence this work on 2 February 2006, when it had become clear to the Executive that there were problems with Scottish Water’s delivery plan that might lead to the departure of Professor Alan Alexander as Chair of Scottish Water.

Scottish Water

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers it to be the responsibility of the Drinking Quality Regulator to approve the business plan of Scottish Water and, if so, on what date this requirement was made clear to the Drinking Quality Regulator.

Rhona Brankin: When Professor Alan Alexander was re-appointed to the Chair of Scottish Water on 1 April 2005 he was required, within eight weeks of Scottish Water having decided to accept the Water Industry Commission for Scotland’s determination of charges for 2006-10, to submit to the Executive for its approval a delivery plan for 2006-10. Before the plan was submitted to the Executive Scottish Water was to ensure that its regulators (the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Drinking Water Quality Regulator and the Water Industry Commission for Scotland) agreed that the plan constituted a reasonable basis for delivering the Executive’s objectives for Scottish Water in the period and that it contained milestones or other interim targets by which progress towards achievement could be measured.

  This requirement was set out in the letter of 1 April 2005 to Professor Alexander from the Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development that accompanied Professor Alexander’s letter of re-appointment. The letter was copied to the each of the regulators, including the Drinking Water Quality Regulator. Copies of the letter can be viewed on the Scottish Executive website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Water/17583/resignation.

Scottish Water

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers it to be the responsibility of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to approve the business plan of Scottish Water and, if so, on what date this requirement was made clear to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Rhona Brankin: When Professor Alan Alexander was re-appointed to the Chair of Scottish Water on 1 April 2005 he was required, within eight weeks of Scottish Water having decided to accept the Water Industry Commission for Scotland’s determination of charges for 2006-10, to submit to the Executive for its approval a delivery plan for 2006-10. Before the plan was submitted to the Executive, Scottish Water was to ensure that its regulators (the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Drinking Water Quality Regulator and the Water Industry Commission for Scotland) agreed that the plan constituted a reasonable basis for delivering the Executive’s objectives for Scottish Water in the period and that it contained milestones or other interim targets by which progress towards achievement could be measured.

  This requirement was set out in the letter of 1 April 2005 to Professor Alexander from the Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development that accompanied Professor Alexander’s letter of re-appointment. The letter was copied to the each of the regulators, including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Copies of the letter can be viewed on the Scottish Executive website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Water/17583/resignation.

Scottish Water

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers it to be the responsibility of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland to approve the business plan of Scottish Water and, if so, on which date this requirement was made clear to the Water Industry Commission for Scotland.

Rhona Brankin: When Professor Alan Alexander was re-appointed to the Chair of Scottish Water on 1 April 2005 he was required, within eight weeks of Scottish Water having decided to accept the Water Industry Commission for Scotland’s determination of charges for 2006-10, to submit to the Executive for its approval a delivery plan for 2006-10. Before the plan was submitted to the Executive Scottish Water was to ensure that its regulators (the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Drinking Water Quality Regulator and the Water Industry Commission for Scotland) agreed that the plan constituted a reasonable basis for delivering the Executive’s objectives for Scottish Water in the period and that it contained milestones or other interim targets by which progress towards achievement could be measured.

  This requirement was set out in the letter of 1 April 2005 to Professor Alexander from the Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development that accompanied Professor Alexander’s letter of re-appointment. The letter was copied to the each of the regulators, including the Water Industry Commission for Scotland. Copies of the letter can be viewed on the Scottish Executive website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Water/17583/resignation.

Scottish Water

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has approved a contract or an operating basis for Scottish Water Solutions.

Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive approved the arrangements underpinning the creation and operation of Scottish Water Solutions Ltd for the delivery of Quality and Standards 2 in July 2003. The Executive is currently considering Scottish Water’s capital delivery proposals for the delivery of Quality and Standard 3 but to date no decision has been taken.

Scottish Water

Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are required to approve a contract or an operating basis for Scottish Water Solutions.

Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Water (Delegated Limits etc) Directions 2003 sets out the financial limits delegated to the Board of Scottish Water. The Scottish Water (Delegated Limits etc) Directions 2003 are published on the Scottish Executive website.

  The creation of an entity such as Scottish Water Solutions would fall outside the Scottish Water’s delegated limits. Scottish Water would therefore have to seek the approval of ministers through the submission of a robust business case.

Skye Bridge

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the provisions of the A87 Extension (Skye Bridge Crossing) Special Road Regulations 1995 applying a 40 mph speed limit and clearway status on the specified special road and prescribing use by all classes of traffic still apply following revocation of the A87 Skye Bridge Crossing Toll Order.

Tavish Scott: The Invergarry-Kyle of Lochalsh Trunk Road (A87) Extension (Skye Bridge Crossing) Toll Order (Revocation) Order 2005 does not affect the A87 Extension (Skye Bridge Crossing) Special Road Regulations 1995. The 40mph speed limit and clearway status on the special road therefore still apply.

Skye Bridge

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22386 by Tavish Scott on 31 January 2006 and given that the Skye Bridge concessionaire required to be in possession of an assignation statement, why the intended concessionaire received only an unsigned and undated seven-page document whose year of issue could not be identified.

Tavish Scott: I understand that the then Scottish Office position was that the concessionaire held the Skye Bridge Assignation Statement as it was made available for public inspection in 1991. The document was not signed or dated.

Skye Bridge

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22386 by Tavish Scott on 31 January 2006 and given that the Skye Bridge concessionaire required to be in possession of an assignation statement, when the intended concessionaire received the unsigned and undated seven-page document.

Tavish Scott: I understand that the then Scottish Office position was that Skye Bridge Tolls Limited was in possession of the document by the time it was made available for public inspection on 23 October 1991.

Skye Bridge

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive in what way the provisions of Schedule 2 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 were applied in 1995 to advise the public of the commencement of the Skye Bridge toll period.

Tavish Scott: There was no statutory requirement by the Scottish Office of that time in terms of schedule 2 to the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, to advise the public of the commencement of the toll period.

Sport

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that all local authorities develop and publicise their sports pitch strategies in co-operation with  sportscotland.

Patricia Ferguson: Local authorities are encouraged to prepare playing field and sports pitch strategies in line with  sportscotland’s Planning Policy for the Protection of Playing Fields . A number of local authorities have taken advantage of the financial and other support offered by  sportscotland but it is for individual local authorities to decide how best to publicise their sports pitch strategies.

Sport

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21247 by Patricia Ferguson on 14 December 2005, whether it will give an assurance to those organising, employed in or benefiting from, the Active Schools Project funding that there is funding in place to continue the programmes beyond the current period for which funding has been provided.

Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive’s £12 million per annum contribution towards the funding of Active Schools is a core element of our grant in aid to  sportscotland for the period of our spending proposals to 2007-08. While we cannot pre-empt the outcome of the 2007 Spending Review, Active Schools will be a priority for continued funding and a ring fenced element of  sportscotland’s grant.